Plastic Injection Molder Turns to Gun Making October 1, 2015 In 2006, Jim Pontillo, founder of TRA Medical Inc. (Placentia, CA), saw two distinct trends: his medical mold-making workload was diminishing and demand for guns and gun components was rising. Sizing up TRA Medical’s core competencies, Pontillo saw an opportunity for growth in the development and production of 9-mm handguns. Today, these guns are branded and sold under their own brand FMK Firearms, which is a stand-alone business.
DIY: Creating Through-Tool Coolant Capability June 1, 2015 New retrofit systems make it possible to quickly, easily and cost effectively transform the standard external-coolant live tooling heads on turning machine turrets into those with through-tool-coolant capability. And shops that have done the retrofit are experiencing longer tool life, more efficient chip control and less heat generation.
New Technology in CNC Automatic Lathes Drives Higher Productivity May 1, 2014 A fully programmable B axis is the latest advanced technology for Swiss machines.
Faucet Parts Gush from Multistation Center November 1, 2013 A manufacturing engineer’s open mind, common sense and eclectic background in business have transformed the way parts are machined at the Guadalajara, Mexico, plant of plumbing fixture leader URREA Group.
Automating the Grinding Process June 1, 2013 Whether the process is cylindrical or profile grinding, automation, which can increase cycle time, throughput, consistency of part quality and taking real-time in-process measurements, is once again in demand. The reasons can be found in the benefits found in typical applications and the innovative and effective forms of automation available from machine builders like United Grinding Technologies Inc. (UGT; Miamisburg, OH), and their automation integrator of choice, Matrix Design Inc. (Elgin, IL).
Dunnage: Often Ignored, Always Important October 1, 2012 Dunnage used to ship and process automotive parts on the shop floor is a key component in the overall manufacturing process, yet it is often overlooked when companies are working to make lines lean and green. Today, it is important that manufacturers know that most dunnage used to transport parts from start to finish can be reused for the lifetime of production.
Drilling Difficult Materials January 1, 2012 Drilling a hole to required specification in production drilling can be challenging when the workpiece material is especially difficult-to-machine.
Grinding the Hard Stuff August 1, 2007 Expanding use of ever-harder materials has opened the door to wider use of grinding processes on materials such as titanium, ceramics, and superalloys.
Maybe it’s Time to Try Some ‘Swiss Cheese’ November 1, 2016 These days the most important theme in superabrasive grinding wheel development isn’t the abrasive, it’s the bond. The diamond or CBN grains do the cutting, but the bond plays a decisive role in exposing the grains to the workpiece and enabling coolant to remove heat.
Geometry Lesson Teaches Corvette How to Lighten Up October 14, 2016 It’s been almost two decades since the C5 Corvette hit the streets with its groundbreaking chassis built around hydroformed steel bumper-to-bumper frame rails. The technology gave engineers a chance to create components that were both lighter and stiffer than traditional stamped and welded assemblies.